A Photography Tour from Darwin through the NT's Top End

Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula 

6 Day Photography Workshop 

with Alan Barker

In 2019 we are working with renowned photographer Alan Barker to bring you a special 6 day photography workshop. It's an opportunity for participants to hone their photography skills with one of the 'best in the business'. The workshop departs Darwin in early-October and travels through some of the best photographic locations the Top End has to offer including; Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land and the Cobourg Peninsula. At each location Alan will offer one-on-one tuition to all participants, while in the evenings post-processing sessions will be available. 

The photography tour spends 2 nights in Kakadu, exploring the waterfalls, rock art and wetlands Kakadu is famous for. We then travel into Arnhem Land where an Indigenous guide will show us some of the most spectacular rock art and landscapes in the NT. The tour then continues north to the remote Cobourg Peninsula, spending 3 nights in one of the most pristine parts of Australia, known for it's abundant marine life and Ramsar Wetland.

The full 6 day photography workshop itinerary is available below. 

DAY 1 – 08 October

At 6am you will be met at your Darwin hotel by Alan Barker and your Venture North guide for the beginning of your 6 Day Photography Safari through Kakadu, Arnhem Land and the Cobourg Peninsula. After departing we will travel towards the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park

En route to Kakadu our first stop will be at the Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, a great place to photograph birds in the surrounding wetlands.

Our next stop will be at the picturesque Corroboree Billabong. Here we will embark on a 1.5hr cruise where you’ll have the opportunity to photograph a large variety of plants, birdlife as well as salt water crocodiles. Learn more about the wildlife of the billabong from your knowledgeable guide who will make the cruise both fascinating and informative.

Continue on to Kakadu and Nourlangie Rock, one of Kakadu’s oldest Aboriginal occupation sights open to the public. Here we will take a walk around this impressive rock, through ancient rock-art sites and savannah bushland which is home to a variety of wildlife.

Depart late-afternoon we’ll he to our sunset location; Nawurlandja Lookout. A short climb takes us up the sloping sandstone to provide views of the sun setting across Anbangbang Billabong, Nourlangie Rock and the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Depart after sunset for Jabiru and Anbinik Kakadu Resort, our accommodation for tonight.

Overnight: Anbinik Kakadu Resort (bush bungalow)

DAY 2 – 09 October 

For sunrise this morning we will head back to Nawurlandja Lookout to photography the changing colours as the sun rises over the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Continue on to the picturesque, lily-filled Anbangbang Billabong. Here we will embark on a 1hr walk around the billabong which is home to a large variety of water birds including magpie geese, spoonbill and Jabiru.

Next, we will travel south to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). Enjoy a scenic 1km walk along the edge of Barramundi Creek before arriving at the base of Barramundi Falls. Here you have the opportunity to swim or snorkel in the large plunge pool below the falls and discover an array of aquatic life.

Mid-afternoon we will depart Maguk for Ubirr Rock, one of Kakadu’s best-known rock-art sites and fanatic sunset location. A walk to the top of Ubirr offers great views across the Nadab floodplain into the stone country of Arnhem Land.

Overnight: Anbinik Kakadu Resort (bush bungalow)

DAY 3 – 10 October 

After breakfast we travel from Jabiru to the northern region of Kakadu National Park to Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River where we enter Arnhem Land. A 15 km scenic drive to Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End with floodplains covered in bird life and water lilies running up alongside the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Upon arrival at Gunbalanya we will visit the renowned Injalak Arts and Craft Centre. Here we’ll be joined by an Aboriginal guide to be shown around the Injalak Hill rock art sites. Spend the morning experiencing some of the best Aboriginal rock art and spectacular landscapes in the NT.

Next, we will continue our journey to the most northern tip of Arnhem Land; the Cobourg Peninsula, part of the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hrs with stops and creek crossings along the way.

Upon arriving at Cobourg we’ll head straight to Venture North's private camp where you’ll be greeted by the resident camp hosts and set up for sunset.

Overnight: Cobourg Coastal Camp (permanent safari tent)

DAY 4 – 11 October 

This morning will be spent exploring the Northern Territory’s largest Marine Park by boat. Cobourg is abundant in some amazing marine life including six of the seven species of marine turtle, manta rays, dolphins, sharks, crocodiles, mud crabs and plenty of fish.

As we cruise the Marine Park we will stop and visit the Victoria Settlement ruins. Established prior to Darwin as a military outpost by the British, this site represents the third failed attempt at settlement in Northern Australia. After surviving for 11 years between 1838 and 1849 it was abandoned. Stone ruins still stand on the shoreline of Port Essington and serve as a reminder of the hardships faced by the early colonists.

Depart the settlement and enjoy a slow journey back to camp stopping along the way to spot marine life and do some fishing.

This afternoon at camp can be spent at your leisure, including optional Post-Processing Session for those interested.

Each afternoon with dusk approaching provides excellent opportunities to photograph the sun setting over the water as red cliffs of the Cobourg Peninsula intensify with colour.

Sunset Shoot.

Overnight: Cobourg Coastal Camp (permanent safari tent)

DAY 5 – 12 October 

Today we explore the eastern side of the Park this time by 4WD.

Cobourg is home to the first RAMSAR wetland (wetlands of international importance) in world with freshwater paperbark swamps and billabongs 100m from the coastline.

Continue on via the northern beaches, commonly used as turtle nesting areas and covered in a wide range of shells. Low tide provides opportunities to explore exposed coral reefs and rock pools which are home to a variety of marine life.

After lunch you will have an opportunity to go hunting for mud crabs using traditional Aboriginal methods. Learn how to hunt and gather these local delicacies before having a go yourself.

Later in the afternoon we will also visit the Park’s Cultural and Information Centre before making our way back towards camp.

Sunset Shoot.

Overnight: Cobourg Coastal Camp (permanent safari tent)

Day 6 – 13 October 

Morning Shoot.

Late-morning you will be transported to the Cobourg Airstrip for your private charter flight back to Darwin. This scenic fight takes approximately one hour and provides great views of the Peninsula and Tiwi Island coastlines.

Arrive into Darwin at approximately 12:30pm where you will be transferred to your chosen accommodation.

This ends your Venture North journey. 

For more information about this photography tour please contact Venture North on 08 89275500 or email us at [email protected]